Kasur Incident, District Kasur -2009

On June 30, 2009, a tragic and deeply disturbing incident occurred in Bahmniwala, a village in District Kasur, where around 110 Christian families—comprising nearly 700 people—were forced to flee their homes at night. This mass exodus happened after an angry mob attacked and threatened to burn their houses over an alleged blasphemy case. The tensions arose when a Christian boy, Arif Masih, while traveling on a tractor, asked a Muslim boy, Muhammad Riaz, to allow him to pass on the road. When Riaz refused, a quarrel ensued between the two.

The altercation escalated quickly, leading to a violent reaction from the Muslim community. On Tuesday night, a mob attacked the houses of the Christian community with petrol bombs, destroying electricity meters and brutally beating any Christians they found. The next day, the situation worsened as the Muslim community boycotted Christian businesses and refused any communication with them. Christians who returned to their homes found themselves without electricity or drinking water throughout the day. Local Muslim clerics further aggravated the situation by urging the Muslim population to unite and “teach a lesson” to the Christians.

Despite the presence of police, the tensions remained high, and the Christian community was left in fear for their safety. A committee led by Kasur District Coordination Officer (DCO) Abdul Jabbar Shaheen was formed to negotiate a peace deal between the two groups. The DCO, acknowledging the gravity of the situation, apologized to the Christian community for the injustices they had faced, emphasizing that Islam does not permit cruelty against minorities.

I-LAP’s Intervention

In response to this dire situation, Chairman I-LAP, Sajid Sandhu, took immediate action by organizing a series of press conferences to bring national attention to the plight of the Christian families in Kasur.Through these press conferences, Chairman I-LAP sought to highlight the injustice and demand accountability for the violence inflicted on the innocent Christian community.

Beyond raising awareness, I-LAP also provided critical relief assistance to the affected families. This support included essential supplies and aid to help the displaced Christian families recover from the traumatic events. By standing with the victims during this challenging time, I-LAP reinforced its commitment to advocating for the rights and dignity of religious minorities in Pakistan. The organization continues to play a vital role in addressing religious intolerance and promoting peace and harmony between communities.

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